Roseann Sebastian Arndt, of Arlington Heights passed away on Friday, February 28th, surrounded by her children. Rosie, the daughter of Helen and James Sebastian, the middle of five children who grew up in Des Plaines and Park Ridge, IL had many influences in her life and made a positive impact on those she touched. Her parents, the Catholic Church (even with its failings) helped her find the God of today, who nudged her to get involved, seek reform in the Church, and regard life as one hell of a spiritual adventure!

Rosie found God in nature and movement. Her love affair with the water began at her childhood Murphy Lake where she could receive happiness floating on her back, eyes agog with the vastness of the blue sky, assured that hers and other waters would always comfort her; even in the deep sorrow that came with losing her Dad in 6th grade. At first, Rosie believed that serving God meant joining the convent. So, she became Sister James Mary, a postulate at Sisters of the Immaculate Mary in Joliet for two trying years.

In 1962, she met Joseph H. Arndt and they were married at St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge, Illinois. Through their marriage of 54 years, Rosie and Joe taught their children and grandchildren so many wonderful life lessons. For example, if you don't laugh you won't make it (a lesson we ALL needed to navigate her journey with Alzheimer's).  Two, she believed in the mantra to thine own self be true which allowed her to listen to wild ideas—like the time her spirit heard: "Invest in earthworms, they'll absorb the city's garbage and leave fertile soil in its place." So she'd carry seed from the car and feed those little buggers dreaming of riches and sanity needed for motherhood and life. Three, create a home where everyone, regardless of circumstance is welcome, heard, and seen as worthy and whole. Her children are grateful for growing up in such a lovingly honest and compassionate home.

Outside of motherhood, Rosie wanted a life-giving job that involved helping people, so at 50, she decided to finish college at Roosevelt and graduated with an emphasis in Gerontology. Then, in 1997, Rosie graduated from Loyola with a Master of Pastoral Studies and had an internship at The Claret Center in Hyde Park.

Rosie was a woman before her time. In her words, "The world commends women for their charity to others and elevates them for the nurturing of others. But dare they raise their voice to question the underlying reasons why charity is needed, to speak out on the injustices in the world—they are labeled. The challenge I wish to give myself and other women today would be to question injustices that tug at us, Empower ourselves to speak out, organize, and recognize that peace and justice issues are sacred."

Rosie is preceded in death by her husband, Joe, daughter, Katie Simons, sister Mary Ellen, and brother Jimmy. She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Jaime Arndt, Jodi Arndt, Matthew Arndt, Meghan Arndt (Tommy Nuzzo), Holly Arndt (Dan Bragaw). Her grandchildren are Elizabeth Simons, Olivia Simons, Emily Erickson, Luke Simons, Michael Erickson, Chloe Simons, Matthew Erickson, Jonas Arndt, Tessa Creighton, Penn and Cole Bragaw, Joseph Nuzzo and her remaining two sisters, Veronica Krueger and Katie Hamilton (Gene).

Burial will be private,

In lieu of flowers Rosie would appreciate a donation to:

Western Golf Association/Evan Scholar Foundation: One Briar Road Golf, Illinois 60029-0301 http://www.wgaesf.org

Alzheimer's Association: 225 N. Michigan Avenue FL 17 Chicago, IL 60601 www.alz.org